Diaper cover



rch 6, 1951 M. E. STEINERT DIAPER COVER Filed Nov. 22, 1948 I N I/ EN TOR. .Mq/@meer 5 .STE/NER? /ZMQWM Patented Mar. 6, 1,951

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE DIAPER COVER Margaret E. Steinert, Seattle, Wash.

Application November 22, 194s, serial No. 61,501

This invention relates to special garments for babies, and it has reference more particularly to animproved form of moisture-proof diaper cover; it being the principal object of the invention to provide a diaper covering vgarment that is sightly in appearance; that is hygienic in use; I

that does not irritate the body nor impair the circulation; that can be worn withpmaximum comfort and protection and maybe easily and quickly applied and then readily secured by means of a single' snap fastener' at 'each side.V

It is also an object of my invention to provide a diaper cover of the character above stated that induces free circulation of air beneath it; that is without any undesirable lor unattractive bulkiness and permits the child Wearing it to have unrestricted freedom of movement.

Another object of my invention is to provide a diaper cover of the character above stated that is easily laundered; that will dry quickly after washing and which is of such character that it is suitable for being worn beneath rompers. Also, a garment that may be worn both in daytime and at night.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention are to be found in the details of con- :struction or form of the garment; in the materials used in its construction and in its mode of application to the child.

In accomplishing the above stated and other vobjects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a view of the garment in a flattened out condition to illustrate its form and details :of construction.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the garment, showing the manner of folding it for use and manner of attachment of the front and back waist-band portions.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional detail through the waist-band portion of the garment.

It is the intent that the present garment shall be made in a range of sizes found to be most suitable for babies of different sizes and ages. However, the general shape or pattern of the garment, and proportionate dimensions of its various parts will remain the same in all sizes.` In order to impart a better understanding of size and proportionate dimensions of its parts, it will here be stated that a small babys garment, laid out in the flat as has been shown in Fig. 1, would have an overall length of approximately fifteen inches: and a Width 0$ 9.1?? .eng Q f @will 1 Claim. (Cl. 12S-287) l eight inches and across the opposite end of about six' vand one-half inches. 'Ihe material used to form the outside of the garment is preferably a closely knit fabric such as rayon jersey and this is lined over its entire inner surface with a thin sheet of rubber. f

Referringmore in detail to thedrawings: "In Fig. 1, vwhich shows the garment flattened out to impart a better understanding ofA its shape, I0 designates' the garment considered in its entirety. It comprisesl a rsingle blank orpiec'e I2 of the selected-fabric, constituting the outside of the garment, and a single piece or blank I3 of rubber, of the same dimensions as the outer piece I2, and applied as a Water-proof lining to the inside surface of the garment. K

The two pieces of'material, I2 and I3, are cut to the form shown in Fig. 1, then placed one upon the other, and the peripheral edge portions of the fabric piece are folded back and over the edges of the rubber sheet and hemmed or other- 4wise suitably secured thereover as at I4.

Along the opposite end edges of the garment and preferably at the inside thereof, that being the rubber lined side, tunnels are formed by the stitching of strips of tape I'5 to the garment. In each of these tunnels, an elastic band 20 is contained. At the opposite ends of the tunnels, the rubber bands are secured, and the lengths of the bands are such as to slightly gather the material across the ends of the garment as has been indicated in Fig. 2. The fastening means used for the bands in this case comprises the male and female parts of a common type of snap fastener, as designated at 2l and 22, which serve additionally as means to be used for the securing of the garment about the baby.

The shape of the garment is as seen in Fig. 1. Opposite end edges are parallel and that edge of the part that is to be located at the back, to give extra fullness, is somewhat longer than that at the front. For example, the back portion may be eight inches across and the front portion six and one-half inches across. Opposite side edges of the garment are symmetrically recessed, as at 25, so as to give the flattened garment a sort of hour glass outline. In a garment of the dimensions previously given, it would be about four and one-half inches across the narrowest dimension. The overall length of the piece would be about fifteen inches and the distance from front edge to this line of narrowest width would be about seven inches, giving a little more length for added fullness in that portion that is at the .55 :back of the body when the garment is being worn.

To apply the garment to the baby, it is placed over the diaper with narrowest portion between the babys legs, and the wider end portion at its back, and the narrower end portion drawn up across the front. Then the ends of the waistband portions are joined by the snap fasteners and the garment assumes the position shown in Fig. 2. The waist-band should be only of such tension as to hold the garment in place. Elasticity is providedV for in the use' of the rubber bands 2U.

The invention is characterized by that particular shaping that provides leg openings of ample size without detriment to adequate coverage.

The single snap fasteners at either sideY and at the waist-band of the garment, together withl the specific shaping of the leg openings providedin the pattern of the garment, allows the child unrestricted movement. In the process of the childs walking or crawling'A about;y asf the' leg moves forward, the single snap allows the material to move slightly in afsemi-circular motion, the 'back portion of the waist-at-the point of contact with the snap moves slightly forward. and down, while the front section at thepoint of con'- tact of the snapmoves slightly back and. down, thus providing.y at the leg` openingsa fanning motion that carries= airinandout the leg openings.` This axztion of cooling prevents` irritation and chafing, for chai-ling is caused by a' rigid', snug'- iittingportion ofv a'garment. The'snaps' at the waist permit theeasy application'of the garment without necessity of ties` as'used in many garments of this type. The tying isdifcult on active children and may comeunfastened or whenl wet be very difficult to-unfasten.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A diaper covering garment comprising a fiat, elongated strip having an inner surface layer of waterproof material and an outer surface layer of fabric, opposite side edges thereof being symmetrically recessed to give the garment a simulated hour glass form with a narrow medial portion to be applied between the legis ofthe wearer and gradually increasing in width to the ends of the strip; the back portion of the garment as de'ned by the narrow portion being slightly longer' than the front portion; coacting snap fastener devices applied to the respective corners of the strip and adapted to be engaged to secure the garment in place, said fasteners being of such type to permit free pivotal action of the joined` parts; said strip formed with an elastic waist band portion across its opposite ends; said garment as shaped and applied providing side openings through which the legs extend and permittiiig a free passage of Aair between the garment and diaper o`f the wearer.

MARGARET E. STEINERT.

REFERENCES CITED The' following references are of record in the 'le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

